Tracksuits left the pitch a long time ago. You see them on the street, in the office on Fridays, at airports, and on runways. Yet the line between a polished outfit and one that looks like pajamas is still a fine one, and it comes down to three details: the pants fit, the proportions of the top, and the shoes.
A football tracksuit has an advantage over generic styles: it’s designed for movement, with quality finishes, durable zippers, and colors made to be seen. But you still need to wear it right. Here are the rules that work, the combinations to avoid, and how to choose your size based on your actual measurements.
Choose slightly tapered pants that sit on your shoes without bunching up or leaving your ankles bare. Keep the top true to your size, neither tight nor loose, and go for clean low-top sneakers.
For an urban look, mix and match: a tracksuit top with dark pants, or tracksuit pants with a plain sweatshirt. The full tracksuit look works best when the set is monochrome and well-fitted.
Three rules that make all the difference
You don’t need a long style guide to wear a tracksuit well. Three points are all it takes, and they explain almost all the difference between a polished look and a sloppy outfit.
These three rules apply to every body type. They matter even more with a club tracksuit, whose bright colors draw the eye and make proportions look less balanced than they would in a plain gray set.
Choosing the right pants fit
The pants fit is the most defining element. There are three main styles, each with a different look. The choice depends as much on your build as on how you plan to wear them.
| Fit | Style | Recommended shoes | Avoid if |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tapered, fitted at the ankle | Clean and modern, the most versatile | Low-top sneakers, retro running styles | You want a relaxed, oversized look |
| Straight-leg | Classic, balanced, close to the fit of trousers | White sneakers, high-tops | The bottoms drag on the ground because the hem isn’t the right length |
| Wide-leg | Very distinctive, inspired by the 1990s | Chunky sneakers, thick soles | The top is also very oversized |
For most body types, tapered pants are the safest choice. They give the leg shape, highlight the shoes and work just as well with a sweatshirt as with a zip-up tracksuit jacket. Wide-leg styles require more attention to the overall balance.
Three ways to wear it
A tracksuit doesn’t have to be worn any one way. You can wear the full set, mix and match the pieces, or use one as a mid-layer. Each approach has its own rules.
Matching top and bottoms in the same color and fabric. This is the boldest look, so it requires the most care.
- Choose a monochrome outfit or a maximum of two colors.
- Keep both pieces fitted.
- Wear a plain T-shirt under the jacket, never a bold print.
Keep just one tracksuit piece and pair it with something more classic. It’s the easiest option to wear every day, and the most understated.
- Tracksuit jacket with straight-leg dark pants: an instantly urban look.
- Tracksuit bottoms with a plain sweatshirt or a denim shirt.
- Avoid pairing tracksuits from two different clubs.
The tracksuit jacket becomes a mid-layer, worn over a jersey or under a coat. Very practical in milder weather and at the stadium.
- Over a jersey: an open jacket lets the club colors show.
- Under a coat: choose a lightweight jacket to avoid a puffy look.
- In the stands, the zip lets you adjust your temperature without taking everything off.
This third approach follows a principle we’ve explored elsewhere: sportswear works best when it’s part of a layered outfit. Our guide to layering when it’s cold explains how to arrange those layers without distorting the jersey.
Shoes that go with it
Tracksuits have just one requirement: the shoes must be proportionate to the volume of the bottoms. Slim, low-top sneakers with very wide pants create an unbalanced silhouette, while a chunky sole under a tapered fit makes the leg look heavier.
- Tapered fit: low-top sneakers, retro running styles, canvas sneakers.
- Straight-leg fit: classic white sneakers, leather styles, high-top sneakers.
- Wide-leg fit: thick soles, chunky styles, basketball shoes.
Follow one color rule: pick a shade already found in the set, or stick to neutrals. White, black and gray go with everything. Brightly colored shoes add a third color and unnecessarily complicate the outfit.
What size tracksuit should I get?
A football tracksuit has a slightly fitted athletic cut. The measurements below are for the adult sets in the store. The “recommended height” column is especially useful, as it accounts for trouser length, which is often overlooked when ordering.
| Size | Top length | Chest width, laid flat | Trouser length | Recommended height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 67 cm | 50 cm | 98 cm | 165 to 170 cm |
| M | 69 cm | 52 cm | 100 cm | 170 to 175 cm |
| L | 71 cm | 54 cm | 102 cm | 175 to 180 cm |
| XL | 73 cm | 56 cm | 104 cm | 180 to 185 cm |
| 2XL | 75 cm | 58 cm | 106 cm | 185 to 190 cm |
If you’re between two sizes, the rule depends on the fit you want: go up a size for a relaxed, roomier look, or choose your usual size for a closer fit, similar to what the players wear. The full chart, including sleeve lengths, is on the tracksuit size guide page.
Three sets from this season, in three different color palettes.
What works and what doesn’t
Most mistakes aren’t caused by the tracksuit itself, but by what you pair it with. Here are the most useful guidelines, based on the most common combinations.
- A monochrome set, with the jacket and bottoms in the same shade.
- A tracksuit jacket over dark straight-leg trousers.
- Tapered bottoms with clean low-top sneakers.
- A plain T-shirt under the jacket, with a crew neck or V-neck.
- Just one bright color per outfit, with everything else in neutral tones.
- A top and pants from two different clubs or seasons.
- Pants that are too long and bunch up over your shoes.
- A loose-fitting set paired with a bulky sweatshirt.
- Very worn-out shoes that undo everything else.
- Three bright colors at once, including the jersey.
Step back three meters and look only at the silhouette, without focusing on the logos. If the line of the legs is clear and the jacket doesn’t bunch up at the waist, the outfit works. If not, it’s almost always the length of the pants that needs adjusting.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, as long as you pay attention to the fit and shoes. A club jacket paired with dark pants and clean sneakers makes for a perfectly cohesive urban outfit.
Only if you’re after a loose, training-style fit. For a more fitted look, stick to your usual size: football tracksuits already have a slightly sporty cut.
The pants should skim your shoes or end just above them. If they bunch up over your feet, it throws off your silhouette. Use the recommended height column in the size chart as a guide.
It’s best to avoid mixing two different clubs or seasons: the shades almost never match. On the other hand, pairing a tracksuit top with neutral pants works really well.
Wash at 30 degrees, inside out, with the zips closed and no fabric softener, then air-dry. The tumble dryer wears out the elastic at the waist and ankles, which is what keeps the fit in place.
An outfit that’s all about proportions
When worn well, a tracksuit is one of the most comfortable and easiest outfits to pull off. If the proportions are off, it immediately looks sloppy. The difference has nothing to do with the price or the club, but with the length of the pants, the balance of the volume, and the condition of your shoes.
Start with a simple set if you’re new to it, then add color once you’ve mastered the proportions. To compare the available cuts and colors, you’ll find all the sets in the shop’s adult tracksuit selection.